The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-17
EWhvTio Won want to make your crew

ed from the compass-card upon he
face. ''LOok at the lightning owe
therei I'm sailor enough to know
that our masts would be broken if tn,
wind struck the ship with all this sal
upon her And what is my work
idly standing here-compared to your
You, who have already done 81
much, and are still doing the work o
many men?"
You argue too well for my wishes
/ want you TO agree with me"
" Whom have you to take my
place?"
Only the steward
He can not steer, Mr.. Royle; anC
assure you the ship wants watch.
ing"
laughed at this nautical language
! in her sweet mouth. At her request
looked into their cabin to see how hel
father was doing. He seemed to be
asleep and l returned and so reported
to her.
Together with the boatSwaIn and
Cornish then went to work taking in
sail. In few hours we had accomp-
lished wonders, having close-reefed
| two of the three tOp-saiis, slowed the
! three iibs, three royals, two tOp-gal-
! lant-sails and staysails. Our work was
rendered three times harder than it
need have been by the darkness; we
had to tumble and grope, and. by be-
ing scarcely able to see each other. we
found it extremely difficult to work in
| unison; so that, instead uf hauling to-
gether, we hauled at odd times, and
rendered our individual strength inef-
fectual, when, could we have collect
lively eXerted it, we should have
achieved our purpose easily.
II must sit down for spell, sir"
said Cornish. II can't do no more
work yet --.-> r..
''If we could only get that top-gal-
liant sail of hcr!'' L exclaimed, looking
longingly up at it. But, all the same,
felt that whole regiment of bayo-
nets astern of me could not have urged
me one inch up the shrouds
We dragged our weary limbs aft
and sguatted ourselves near the wheel,
| for one being scarcely able to stand.
''Mr. Royle," said Miss Robertson,
Twill you and the others 90 down into
the cabin and get some sleep? | will
keep watch, and promise faithfully to
wake you the moment l think neces-
sary"
Bosom" l exclaimed, ''do you hear
that? Miss Robertson wants us to turn
in. She will keep watch, she says and
call us if a gale cOmesr' $50
''GOd bless her!" said the boatswain.
81 called her wonder just now, and
I'd call her wonder again"
Mr.. Royle, you have not answered
me, VIII yon and the others lie down
and sleep while | watch?'
''Not yet, Miss Robertson. By and
by, perhaps. We have more work be-
fore Us, and are only resting. Stew
ard" "a
He came from behind the companion,
where | think he had fallen asleep.
i'Yes, Mr.. ROyle, sir
''Cut below and mix all hands jug
of brandy-and-water. and bring some
biscuits. Here, Bosom. is some tobacco.
Smoke a pipe. Fire away, Cornish
It's more soothing than sleep,
mates"
L pulled out my watch and held it
close to the pinnacle.
''Half-past twon' | cried. amazed at
the passage of time. Upon my word,
l didn't think it was twelve o'clock
yet. Miss Robertson. know l can not
induce you to GO below; but you must
allow me to relieve you for spell at
the wheel. / can sit and steer as we'll
as you. You'll find this grating COM
fortabIe.'' 4
Saving which Ipulled out some flags
from the locker, made kind of cushion
for her back, and then took her chair,
keeping the wheel steady with my
foot.
The steward made his appearance
with the spirits and biscuit; and Miss
went below, whispering to
me as she passed, that she wished to
look at hcr father, and that she would
return in a few minutes.
Now that the lady's gone, Nj.
ROyle," exclaimed the boatswain, as
soon as she had left the deck. lets
talk over orr situation and think whats
to Ee done"'
.''Quitc right, bosom" l replied. "At
noon yesterday-that will bc fifteen
hours ago--thc Bermuda Islands bore
as true as q hair west-half-sOuth We
hove to with the ships head to the
nor ard and westward and made some
way at that, and taking the run we
have made tonight. [ allow that if we
head the ship west-by-north we shall
make the islands, with any thing like
breeze, some time on Monday morn
ing"
But if we're Just off the coast of
Florida" said Cornish, why couldn't
we turn to and run fer the West India
islands,"
"Wh ch is nearest, l wonders" ex-
claimed the boatswain, 1.-THE West
Hindia Islands or the Kingdom of Jer-
icho?"
Its ardly time for jokin'," re-
the steward.
al don't know that said any thing
funny" observed Cornish, warmly.
''Well, then, wOt do you mean by
talking about the West Hindie Isl
ands?" cried the boatswain.
Wot do mean?" retorted the 9TH
er; why. wot | says. Here we are OFF |
the coast of Floridy'--
ION the coast o your grandmother! |
Shut up. mate. and let Mr. Royle speak. |
L on know nothcr about it. "
the Bermudas are nearer to hand |
than the West Indies" l continued, |
not wishing to explain. what we
have to do. then, the moment we can |
use our legs. is to haul the ship round.
How is the wind now? north-north- |
west. Well. she Will lie properly. |
And as soon as ever it comes day |
break. we must run up a signal of dis |
tress. and keep it flying. What more !
can we do?h